UKFast owned Secarma acquires IT security firm

The deal sees Pentest relocate to the UKFast Campus, where a cyber-security research lab and defensive security operations centre are currently under construction.

IT firm Pentest has been snapped up by Secarma, the cyber security business owned by UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones, for an undisclosed sum.

Following the deal, Altrincham headquartered Pentest, an application security specialist which employs 45 people and turned over £2.75m, is set to add significant new resources, including a team of ethical hackers.

Managing director for Pentest, John Denneny, said: “In order for us to continue our current rapid growth curve, we believe the time was right to look for a partner whose approach to business and its employees very much mirrors ours.

“The deal gives us the opportunity to invest in our people and its future growth to a degree that we could not match standalone.

“We have found the perfect partner in Secarma, an ambitious business with an existing management that demonstrates an understanding of our industry and its potential.”

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The deal offers the opportunity for both companies to merge their specialist IT knowledge and expand their existing client bases, while being perfectly placed to provide the highest level of online security.

Pentest is set relocate to the UKFast Campus, where a cyber-security research lab and defensive security operations centre are currently under construction.

Denneny said: “In recent years we have experienced a growing demand for quality security consultancy. Recruitment of highly skilled professionals remains a top priority for us but equally important is the retention of existing staff.

“This next step for us addresses both these challenges by offering an environment that will attract the very best. The purpose built research laboratory and our understanding that consultants want to be proud of the work they deliver ticks two of the most important boxes for high calibre consultants. “

Although Secarma will remain headquartered in the UK, the merger allows the business to grow its presence in the USA, where Pentest has an existing base of large Silicon Valley clients.

Andy Hague, Managing Director at Secarma, said: “The American market is interesting because they take online security very seriously. Companies build it into their development cycles from the ground up much more so than is the norm elsewhere.”

CEO Lawrence Jones adds: “Our investment in Pentest is an investment in knowledge and talent. It’s a demonstration of our intentions for both our clients at UKFast and the eCommerce and online community that we see security as an area of massive importance. Security is a fundamental part of our future.”

The deal was led in house for Secarma by Catherine Houghton, mergers and acquisitions director, and Nicola Frost, head of legal.

Legal due diligence was undertaken by Nabarro while Pentest was advised by Ed Foulkes of Clarke Willmott.